Media review: BBC monitoring

Arab views of the fight for Aden range from pro-Saudi optimism to fears of other players being dragged in.

Saudi and Gulf media report that the "shell-shocked" Houthis are seeking ceasefire talks in the face of the Saudi aerial bombardment. Bahrain's Akhbar al-Khalij daily and the Emirates' Al-Bayan accuse the Houthis of "indiscriminate shelling" of Aden residential areas.

But Arab papers elsewhere are less sanguine. Jordan's al-Ghad and Lebanon's leftist al-Safir say the Saudis have failed to halt the Houthis' advance on Aden, a development that pro-Saudi media ignore.

Pan-Arab TV channels report the fighting could draw in other players from Pakistan to Iraqi Shia militias.

Iranian media maintain their anti-Saudi stance, with official TV channels highlighting the civilian casualties of Saudi air raids and protests in various countries against Saudi policy.

A political consultant in Sanaa, Hisham al-Omeisy, told the BBC that he was sceptical that the Red Cross aid flight would go ahead.

"The Saudi coalition announced this several times before, that they will allow the ICRC to come into the airport but that hasn't actually taken place," he said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's parliament is holding a special session to debate whether to join the Saudis and their allies.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, said the Saudis had asked for warships, aircraft and soldiers.

Pakistani aircraft rescued 170 people from Sanaa on Sunday. Countries including China and Egypt are planning evacuation flights, while Russia and India have already airlifted many of their nationals out of the country.

Image copyrightReutersImage caption
Hundreds have died in the fighting so far

President Hadi was forced to flee Yemen two weeks ago, as the rebels advanced on Aden.

The Houthis have said their aim is to replace his government, which they accuse of being corrupt.

They are supported by troops loyal to the former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was ousted in the Arab Spring protests.

Saudi Arabia says the Houthis have military backing from regional rival Iran, which denies the allegation.